This refreshing Jamaica Drink is made from dried roselle hibiscus flower and the vibrant red color and tart, tangy flavor make it a favorite among many. It’s served cold over ice with a bit of sugar or honey to balance out the tartness.
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Agua De Jamaica
Homemade agua de jamaica is easier to make than you think! A classic Mexican drink made with dried roselle hibiscus flowers infused in hot water. It’s just like making tea….easy peasy.
And what’s greater than a pitcher of Jamaica tea in the depths of these heat waves we have going on? Not a single thing! My goodness, when the temps are slowly going to take me out, y’all. I’m trying my best to stay hydrated every day, pray for me in these streets lol. Summer also calls for us to have always have agua fresca in the fridge, and today is Jamaica’s turn.
This cold tea is also perfect for when you want to have something different but healthy to drink. Agua De Jamaica is a refreshing tea that is full of vitamin C, minerals and lot of invigorating flavor. It’s a family favorite for a reason.
♥️ xo, Ana
What exactly is Jamaica?
The correct term for Jamaica in English is Roselle (en Español es rosa de Jamaica) – Hibiscus sabdariffa. The drink it’s not made out of those ornamental hibiscus plants like you see in gardens. See below how the actual plant looks like.
Jamaica has many health benefits including lowering blood pressure, reduce levels of sugar and fats in blood, reduces inflammation and other amazing uses.
Ingredients
You only need two ingredients (not counting water) to make this traditional Agua de Jamaica drink: hibiscus petals & sugar.
Hibiscus Tea is a little tart and it requires sugar to make it easier to drink. However, you can use a natural sweetener if you’re trying to avoid sugar.
Variations
- When cooking your hibiscus petals, add spices like a cinnamon stick, a pinch of allspice or a little fresh ginger.
- Add mint leaves to add more refreshing taste.
- Once it’s cooked, add fresh lime juice for extra brightness.
Buying guide
Firstly, you can check out your regular grocery store. They may carry dried hibiscus flowers in the bulk section or in the tea aisle. Also try a Latin or Asian store since it’s very likely they will carry it. If you prefer to shop online, you can find a wide variety of dried hibiscus flowers on websites like Amazon, Etsy, or any tea stores.
How to make this Jamaica Drink
- First, place to 2 cups of dried Jamaica and 8 cups of cold water in a medium pot. Bring the Jamaica & water to a soft boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add the sugar at this point and stir well until all of the sugar is dissolved. NOTE: We want to make sure we do this process while Jamaica is still hot so that the sugar dissolves easily.
- Add the remaining of the water and let it cool & steep for at least 2 hours (I let mine sit overnight covered on my counter since I like it to have a strong flavor!)
- When ready, use a fine mesh strainer to remove the flowers from the liquid and pour into a large pitcher. Discard the petals.
- Taste for sugar and water and add more if necessary.
- That’s it! Keep in refrigerator until ready to use and serve over ice just like iced tea.
Ana’s Recipe Tips
- Dried hibiscus should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain their freshness and flavor.
- Storing the Jamaica drink in Fridge: It should be stored in an airtight glass container. The container should be tightly sealed to prevent air from entering, which can cause the juice to spoil more quickly.
- Freezer: Use a freezer-safe container like a plastic jug. It’s important to leave some space at the top of the container as the juice will expand when it freezes.
Pairing suggestions
This Mexican agua fresca is one of the most popular and common drinks you’ll see at restaurants and street vendors along with Horchata. It goes with all kinds of Mexican recipes from tacos to antojitos. I hope you give it a try!
Print Recipe:
Jamaica Drink (Jamaica Agua Fresca) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried jamaica flowers - also known as hibiscus or flor de Jamaica
- 16 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- In a large pot, place the 2 cups of dried Jamaica and 8 cups of water.
- Over medium high heat, bring it to a soft boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the sugar and stir well until all of the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the remaining of the water and let it cool (I let mine sit overnight covered on my counter since I like it to have a strong flavor!)
- Strain. Taste for sugar and water and add more if necessary.
- Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve over ice.
Notes
- Keep in refrigerator in an air tight container until ready to use and serve over ice.
- You can make a concentrate (without adding the last cups of water) and keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.
- To keep the sugar intake low, just add stevia or truvia instead of sugar.
- Agua De Jamaica is made from Hibiscus Sabdariffa
Your Private Notes
Nutrition
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Aguas Frescas Recipes
Health Benefits
Not only is Agua de Jamaica a refreshing and delicious beverage, but it also has several health benefits. For starters, hibiscus is known to lower blood pressure, making it an excellent choice for those looking to improve their cardiovascular health. It’s also high in antioxidants, which help protect against cell damage and inflammation.
Grow your own Roselle Hibiscus plant!!
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), is usually grown in tropical and subtropical areas (USDA zones 8-11). Roselle plant care is relatively easy! Last year I sowed my seeds in March and harvested the hibiscus calyxes around October/November. Just sow your seeds or plant your cuttings in sandy loam that receives full sun and water regularly.
The beauty is that it does not need much fertilizers but I fed it with fish emulsion at least once a month to keep it happy and healthy.
Tip: This plant does not like the cold but loves the heat! So if you need to protect heat sensitive plants, Roselle Hibiscus is a great plant to grow around them to protect from the blistering summer sun.
My plants from a few years ago! How gorgeous are they?
Cheers!
This was delicious!
By the way, I love the tall glass jar you use to store it in! The little details are beautiful. What can I look up to find something like that??
I’m in the process of making this for the 1st time – love Hibiscus & your recipe is nice & simple, thank you. Just looking at that dark ruby-red color right now is so enticing! I’m also (again for 1st time) going to sweeten it with some of my new “Dulce de Atado”. Hoping it’ll be as delish as I think it will be – fingers crossed!
This recipe for Jamaica came out perfect! I sipped it on the porch reading a book. Can’t wait to make it again!
In US English, it’s called hibiscus.
Never heard of anything called roselle.
Dear reader, I suggest you read about roselle in the US dictionary. The fact that you have not heard of the roselle plant, does not mean it doesn’t exist. Thanks for stopping by!
Doesn’t appear you’re on here any more, but still would like to say: When I first came on here last month for this xlnt recipe, I read the reviews, & “ReaderX” was just… ugh. What a racist ignoramus goob! Loved your well done reply, lol😃
So simple, yet so yummy! Thank you for the recipe.
Thank you!! yes is so simple and very popular.
As delicious, as it is beautiful. That this tea has such good health benefits is a super bonus. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Yes and so delicious and refreshing. Thank you!
I was so skeptical it wouldn’t taste like the mexican restaurant down the street but it does! Ty ty.ty!!!!!!! They charge 4 bucks for a large. I can get a ton more making it homeade!!!
Every sip does indeed is amazing! All of the flavors are incredible. And I love these vibrant colors.
This sounds delightful! Such vibrant colors and flavors. Can’t wait to make this.
Refreshing and delicious drink recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
This is my favourite drink anytime we go anywhere in the Caribbean. Love how tart the hibiscus flower is! Making it at home took me right back to my favourite holiday spots!
Loved making this! Omitted the sugar, as we love the bright flavor with no sugar! So good!
This jamaica turned out perfectly sweetened! I love that I can make it at home now 🙂
This Agua de jamaica turned out much better than getting at any restaurant. Will be on repeat!
This is so refreshing and delicious! I’m sipping on it right now! I’ll definitely be making this all summer long!
I am very excited for this! Thank you so much for sharing! I gotta try this! gotta make this for the days I feel I want to try something different
One of my favorites! Such a beautiful drink. I especially love how easily it comes together with one two ingredients.
Love the simplicity of the ingredients for this recipe. What a great find!
This drink is beautiful and refreshing. I love the pink hue!
I adore agua de jamaica! Brings me back to the times I used to live in Mexico City!
This recipe came out perfect. I love that the proportions are easy to remember – I just made it and now I never have to look up the measurements again. I’ve always tried to make agua de jamaica by “winging it” and it never came out right. Thanks for the perfect reciple.
Woow muy fácil de preparar !! Se ve deliciosa ? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can hardly wait to make this tea. A favorite here in Bangkok is called Butterfly Pea tea! I was afraid to try but got hooked on it. Butterfly pea is a plant flower, too. Purple!
Muy delish!
What a fun hibiscus drink, looks perfect for summer!
Yes it is Biana! I think I have Jamaica almost weekly during the summer. So good for you!
I absolutely love this drink! I made it today and it’s the perfect thing to keep you cool this summer! Thanks!!
I’m delighted you liked Caylie! Thank you!
This is a light and fruity tea that is slightly sweet. The perfect sipping drink for summer.
Yes it is sharon! Thank you so much for stopping by!
I have never had this, but plan to make it soon. It’s got to be as delicious as it is beautiful!
I’m sure you’ll love it! Emjoy Pam!
My daughter and I prefer tea over soda and juice, so I made this with her a couple days ago. It’s now our new favorite drink and so refreshing! We’ll be making this all summer!
I prefer tea over soda too! And this drink has so many health properties too so way better. Thanks for stopping by Beth!
My Mexican wife turned me on to jamaica and so glad she did. Such a refreshing and flavorful drink. I wish more restaurants offered this as I get tired of having ice tea all the time and prefer not to drink soda.
I agree! I wish more restaurants would offer this. The only I see all the time is Horchata. I’m so glad you like this!
There is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant in Orange California
(The Green Door Cafe). They sell a lot of this but they add a touch of cinnamon! Delicious!
Adding the cinnamon sounds great! Thanks so much for the comment Becky!
Hi Ana,
I’m so glad you made this recipe, it’s one of my favorites aguas frescas! I have a question though, where do you find the hibiscus dried flower?
Thanks,
Hi Ilse, you can find them on your favorite latin store or even amazon. Lots of asian places carry them too. Thanks for asking!
What a beauty!! This drink is so dang perfect for summer! And I love those flavours!
Thank you Katrina!